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Padres minor-league coach Oswaldo Pirela detained by ICE

San Diego Padres minor-league catching coordinator Oswaldo Pirela is detained by ICE at El Paso airport, prompting questions over his immigration status despite family and team assertions of lawful presence.

2 stories71 sourcesUpdated Aug 21, 2026

In this storyline:United States Department of Homeland Security El Paso International Airport San Diego Padres Arizona United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Padres minor-league coach Oswaldo Pirela detained by ICE — Photo: Earl Andre Roca / Wikimedia Commons (Pexels)

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Key developments

Aug 21, 2026
ICE detains Padres minor-league catching coordinator Oswaldo Pirela at El Paso International Airport while he travels home to Arizona, with DHS citing expired permission from 2018.
5 sources on this →
Aug 21, 2026
The Padres and Pirela's family assert his lawful work status, noting his work permit reportedly extends to 2029 and his asylum status dates to 2014, as removal proceedings begin.
66 sources on this →

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Photo: Earl Andre Roca / Wikimedia Commons (Pexels)

Sports

Padres Minor-League Coach Detained by ICE

Oswaldo Pirela, the San Diego Padres' minor-league catching coordinator, was detained by ICE at El Paso airport while traveling home to Arizona as removal proceedings begin, with DHS citing that his previous permission to remain expired in 2018 though his work permit reportedly extends to 2029. The Padres and his family emphasize his lawful work status and character, while DHS reiterates that asylum or work authorization does not confer legal residency, highlighting the broader context of immigration enforcement at airports.

5 sources

Photo: Joshua Brown / Wikimedia Commons (Pexels)

Sports

Padres Staffer Detained by ICE at El Paso

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San Diego Padres minor league catching coordinator Oswaldo Pirela was detained by ICE at El Paso International Airport while traveling for the team, with the Padres stating they are gathering information. Family members describe his asylum status dating back to 2014 and note he has two U.S.-born daughters, emphasizing his legal presence and ongoing asylum proceedings.

66 sources